Photo : Chloé Vollmer-Lo
When fiction screenwriters write politics
Every evening, millions of French people watch television fiction, making it one of the most powerful cultural forms of creating a shared sense of community. Yet, politics remains one of the major blind spots of French fiction.
Théâtre de la Concorde (Paris 8th)
Part of the La Confiance at Théâtre de la Concorde programme
About
Television fiction plays an important role in how we understand the political arena. From Baron Noir to The West Wing, political fiction forms a space where democracy can be told differently. It allows for the exploration of power mechanisms, the relationships between political figures, institutions, and citizens, as well as the tensions and contradictions that run through democratic life.
How does fiction represent politics?
What does it say about those who wield power?
And how do politicians feel about being represented in fiction?
This meeting, organized in partnership with the collective Nouvelle Séquence, EUPRAXIE (PEPR ICCARE), and Le Grand Continent, will cross these different perspectives to examine how screenwriters write politics and how their stories, in turn, influence our understanding of the political world.
Our take on this event
Television scripts have become the new mirrors of our democratic system. Come explore how the creators of your favorite political dramas influence public perception and capture the complex mechanics of real-life governance.
Discover how television series shape our understanding of politics during a special event held at the Théâtre de la Concorde on November 17, 2026. From Baron Noir to The West Wing, writers and experts explore the mechanisms of power and the representation of democratic life on screen. This session is free to attend by booking in advance, running from 20:00 to 21:30 in the 8th arrondissement. Join us to examine the thin line between political reality and fictional storytelling and how these narratives influence public perception of institutions and government officials.
On Tuesday, November 17, 2026, the Théâtre de la Concorde hosts an insightful discussion on the intersection of fiction and political reality. From 20:00 to 21:30, the event explores how television narratives provide a unique space to analyze power dynamics, the relationship between citizens and institutions, and the complex nature of modern democracy.
Presented in partnership with the collective Nouvelle Séquence, EUPRAXIE (PEPR ICCARE), and Le Grand Continent, the session features a cross-examination of perspectives. The dialogue will focus on how screenwriters craft political stories and how these accounts in turn impact our grasp of political structures. Attendees will also consider how actual politicians perceive their portrayals in popular culture.
Located at 1 Avenue Gabriel in the 8th arrondissement, the event is free to the public, though reservations are required. It serves as an essential meeting point for those interested in the role of media in shaping political discourse and the cultural influence of serialized fiction.
